Jesse Tree of Holy Women ~ Mother Gertrude

"Drop down dew ye heavens above

and let the clouds rain the just one."

Isaiah 45: 8

"{The Prioress is} Always to remember what she is and what she is called." ~ Rule of Benedict 2: 30

As foundress of our community, Mother Gertrude Leupi, had a great love for solitude and prayer. Mother Gertrude came to America in 1880 at the age of 55 with 21 years' experience as Prioress at Maria Richenbach, Switzerland. On November 17th, 1880, a novitiate program began in Maryville, Missouri giving our Yankton community its founding date. From Maryville, the sisters moved to Maria Zell, South Dakota in 1886, then to Yankton in 1887. Mother Gertrude was also foundress of two other communities. In all her years of being Benedictine, she always shared true concern for the spiritual and physical needs of her sisters. On March 26, 1904 at the age of 80, the Lord called her home, rewarding her for all her efforts to spread His message of spirituality.